Water in Bilge area

[krazykatz911]

I have a 2005 stingray 195ls. We were out on the lake today for about 6 hours. In and out of the water swimming and tubing. 6 of us. When I was coming into rock I noticed the bilge pump running pumping water out for a minute. When we got home, I took the plug out and about 2 gallons of water came out. Is this normal? Could that much water get in the bilge area from swimming and getting in wet? Anything to be concerned about?

 

[SkiGuy1980]

I've had the same experience... basically having the kids not "drip off" before getting back in after a run. In addition, some ski vests retain a lot of water. If you don't hang them over the edge to drain it'll all make its way into your bilge.

It doesn't sound like you have an issue (other than needing your crew to dry off a bit before coming aboard). That said, make sure your plug is tight and look around where your engine goes through the transom for any signs of a leak.

 

[JASinIL2006]

That seems like a lot of water... we mighr accumulatea gallon or two of water from a day of tubing and skiing. If you had that much after the bilge pump ran, I’d at least take a look to see if something is leaking. Or maybe go out for a few hours without any wet people climbing into the boat.

 

[tpenfield]

Sounds like more water than from swimming, etc. You should put the boat back in the water solo and see what you get for leakage, if any. Engine running and not running.

 

[jkust]

I get the standard bit of water from swimmers as well as sideways rain that gets into the boat and under the boat lift canopy but never enough to activate the float switch or be high enough for the pump to remove it. Sounds to me like you have a small leak.

 

[krazykatz911]

Hey everyone. Thank you for all the answers. In my situation I think it was from swimming and getting in boat soaked constantly. The carpet was totally soaked, plus life jackets soaked being laid on floor between in and out etc. I don’t think I’ve ever had this issue before when we were just out on the water and not getting in and out

 

[SkiGuy1980]

Glad that's behind you! Enjoy what's left of the season!

 

[JASinIL2006]

We do that all day long and have never collected enough water to cause the bilge pump to run. Much less to have a gallon or two of H2O in the bilge. Were your passengers bringing buckets of water on board?

 

[jkust]

Last season I had this issue and I would always reason it away. Turns out, there was some water left in the distribution housing where all of the water lines converge, when the marina winterized it causing it to weaken and sprung a little leak but only when at speed so it wouldn't do it when docked with the engine cover up while running. Point being, be sure you have really figured it out before chalking it up to swimmers. In my case, I was in middle of the lake when the part completely failed.